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1872. Anno Domini. 1872. 



OOISrSTlTUTION 



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BALTIMOKB: A 

THE SXTN BOOK AND JOB PKINTIHO OFFICE. 

1873. 



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PREFACE 



Sacred History informs us that all men are sojourners 
and pilgrims here, and in a benighted land, and subject 
to all the frailties and ills of life ; at any moment liafble to 
be thrown upon the bed of affliction ; dangers stand thick 
and fast thi-ough all the land to hurry us to the tomb ; 
while fierce diseases wait around to hurry us poor mor- 
tals home : 

Therefore, we do agree to the one thing needful— the 
objects of this Society shall be to establish Union, Friend- 
ship, Fefl'iowship, Holiness, Happiness, Purity, Harmony, 
Peace, Safety, Temperance, Faith, Charity ; and they that 
will come and unite with us we will do them good, for 
the Lord has spoken good concerning Israel, and no good 
thing will He withhold from the upright in heart. 



CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS, 

Adopted for the Subordinate Lodges^ by tlie Supreme Grand 
Councily at January Communication^ 1872. 



ARTICLE I. 

Section i. Constitution of the Subordinate Taber- 
nacle of the G. A. U. S. H. of Israel of the U. S. 
of A , or the world at large. 

Sec. 2. This Institution shall be known by the 
style and title and number of ihe A. U. S. H. 

of Israel, and shall have full power to work as a 
subordinate Tabernacle under the Constitution and 
By-Laws, Grand Laws, Supreme Laws, and Regu- 
lations of the Grand Supreme Council. 



ARTICLE II. 

Section i. The officers of the subordinate Taber- 
nacles shall consist of the following : M. R. W. A. 
Superior Master, M. R. W A. Presiding Master, 
Select Master, Mother of Israel, Queen Saints, 
Queen Virgins, Chief High Priest, Prince and King, 
Chaplain Scribe, Financial and Recording Scribes, 
Treasurer, Master of Arms, Marshal and Conductor, 
two Stewards, Out and Inside Sentinels — making 
in all twenty. Seven members shall constitute a 
quorum to do business, providing the Supreme Mas- 
ter Scribe be present. 



ARTICLE III,— Meeting of S, T, 

Section i. Each and every Tabernacle shall meet 
twice a month, and special meetings when deemed 
necessary and appointed by the S. Master. 

Sec. 2. Presiding officers shall have power to 
determine the hours of meeting during the various 
seasons of the year. 

Sec. 3. Seven members of good standing in a 
S. T. may apply for a special meeting in writing, 
stating the cause and object for the same, and if 
the M. R. W. A. Superior Master sees fit, in his wise 
judgment, may grant it unto them. 

Sec. 4. Sub-Tabernacle elections shall take place 
quarterly, in March, June, September and Decem- 
ber of each and every year. S. T. officers shall 
be installed on or before the 4th of each stated 
month. Any S. T. failing to install their officers on 
the above stated time shall pay the fine of $2.50. 



ARTICLE lY,— Election of Officers. 

Section 1. All elective officers shall be balloted 
for. Seven black balls appearing against an officer 
three times, he shall be declared rejected, likewise 
candidates for membership. 

Sec. 2. Any member elected and failing to come 
forward for three successive meetings, for installa- 
tion, shall forfeit his office, unless a lawful excuse be 
given for ^ such neglect; and if there be one ap- 
pointed to serve the term, the appointee shall have 
the full honors of the office. 

Sec. 3. Any candidates failing to come forward 
for two months for initiation shall forfeit the same, 



also the fees. If a candidate be rejected, the money, 
on application, shall be refunded. 

ARTICLE V. 

Sectio?i I . No alteration or amendment can be 
made to this Constitution or By-Laws. Any Ta- 
bernacle wishing an amendment to be made, shall 
present the same in writing, first to the Temple 
House, and if they approve of it, from thence it 
shall go to the G. S. Council, and if there approved 
of, it shall become a law. 

Sec, 2. Candidates on being initiated into this 
Order shall pay the sum of 25 cents as the initiation 
fee. The M. R. W. A. S. M. shall pay out of the 
same to the Voucher 10 cents, to the East Court 
10 cents, and to the Temple or to the M. R, W. 
A. G. S. Council 5 cents. 

ARTICLE Y\.— Degrees of the Order. 

Sectio7i I. Any members wishing to take the de- 
grees of the Order must apply to their Lodge and 
receive duplicates thereof No members shall be 
entitled to duplicates unless they have been in mem- 
bership one month and square on the books in 
membership. 

Sec. 2. Each degree shall cost the sum of 50 cents 
up to the seventh degree, which shall be $1.00. 



ARTICLE Yll.— Sick Benefits, 
Sectio7i I. When there are thirty members worth 
$5.00 in a Sub-Tabernacle, in case of sickness and 
by sending in their card they shall receive half of 



6 

their week's aid, immediately, or within twenty-four 
hours after receipt of card. 

Sec, 2 . And when there are thirty members worth 
$10.00 each, in case of sickness they shall receive 
$5.00 per week for four weeks; $2.50 per week for 
eight weeks ; and if their disabilities continue, they 
shall receive the sum of $1.25 per week so long as 
there is a surplus above the standing funds. 

Sec, 3. The standing fund for half aid shall be 
$150 and for full aid $300. 

Sec. 4. When a sick member's dues or arrearages 
to the Tabernacle amount to less than $1.50, fines 
and taxes included, the amount of arrearages shall 
be deducted from the first week's aid. But if a 
member owes more than $1.50, such member shall 
be considered non-beneficial, and will not be enti- 
tled to receive aid from the Society. 



ARTICLE N\l\.— Distress Benefits, 

Section i Any financial members in good stand- 
ing in their Tabernacle, and finding themselves in 
a distressed or penniless condition, can, by bringing 
three responsible members as security or bond, make 
an application to the Tabernacle to which they be- 
long and receive from $5 to $20. 

Sec. 2 The members that stand bond for her or 
him shall be responsible to pay back the said amount 
to the Tabernacle within the limits of thirty to ninety 
days, adding thereto 6 per cent, interest on each 
dollar. 

Sec. 3. Any member or members failing to pay 
the sum, after sufficient notice shall have been given 



him or her, the Tabernacle shall have power to sus- 
pend or expel all until the whole is paid up. 



ARTICLE IX..— Fimeral Benefits. 

Section i. It shall be the duty of the proper offi- 
cers, as soon as the death of a member is made 
known to them, to make all the necessary arrange- 
ments for the depositing of the deceased member 
forthwith. The Tabernacle shall pay all funeral ex- 
penses within thirty days thereafter. 

Sec. 2. Should a member decease, belonging to 
this Order, $30, not exceeding $40, will be paid to 
defray the funeral expenses, within thirty days 
thereafter. 

Sec. 3. Should a member be buried by another 
Association, the same will be paid to the family or 
legal representatives, or whomsover he or she may 
will it to ; and within thirty days thereafter each and 
every member shall pay the tax of 25 cents for 
widow's or widower's dues, or the same amount of 
dues paid over to the legal representatives. 



ARTICLE X. — Fi?tes of Officers a?id Members. 

Section i. All fines and taxes shall be collected 
within thirty days, or be deducted from their monthly 
dues as a vaHd part. 



ARTI CLE XI . ~ Applications for Membership. 

Section i. Any person wishing to become a mem- 
ber of this Order shall send an application in writing, 
with name, age, residence and occupation, accom- 
panied by the initiation fee. 



8 

Sec, 2. All applications for membership shall be 
presented by members of the Lodge, and they shall 
be vouchers for the same. 

Sec, 3. Any members who may vouch for a can- 
didate whom they do not know to be a proper per- 
son to become a member of the Order, may, on 
conviction thereof, be fined not less than $1 nor 
more thaa $10, or suspended, or expelled, as the 
Lodge may determine at any regular meeting. 

Sec. 4. No person can become a member of this 
Order under fifteen years of age, and not over fifty 
years, and for no less sum than 50 cents, nor more 
than $10. 



ARTICLE Xll.—Monthfy Dues. 

Sectioji I. Each and every member shall pay 50 
cents per month contribution, and each Tabernacle 
shall commence their monthly dues the first meeting 
night in the month after their initiation. 

Sec. 2. The Scribes shall receive the sum of 50 
cents monthly for their various services, as contri- 
bution. 



ARTICLE XIII. 

Peace and Harmony of the S. T. 

Section i. No member shall be allowed to disturb 
the peace and harmony of a Lodge when in the 
lawful pursuits of its duty. Neither talking, walk- 
ing, laughing, stamping or sleeping, on pain of being 
fined 12 cents for each of the above offences. 

Sec. 2. Neither shall a member use any profane 
language in a Tabernacle or frivolous conversation; 



neither shall there be any quarreling or abusive lan- 
guage, or disobedience of their superior officers. 
The fines for such offences shall be from 25 cents 
to $5, or suspended for the evening; afterwards 
dealt with as the laws of the Lodge may determine. 



ARTICLE XIV. 

Section i. Any members who may wilfully or ma- 
liciously violate their oath and obhgation, and they 
be convicted thereof, after a fair trial, shall be fined, 
or silenced, or suspended, or expelled, as may be 
determined by a vote of the majority of the Lodge. 

Sec. 2. Any members who may be convicted and 
expelled, as the Lodge may determine, for any 
offences or violations of the law of the Order or ob- 
ligations, and feeling themselves unjustly dealt with, 
may make an appeal to the Temple or S. Council, 
whose decision shall be final. 

Sec. 3. Any members who may be summoned or 
notified to appear for trial for any charge or offence 
against them, and faihng to appear at the time and 
place appointed, the case may be tried as if the 
member were present, and shall have a fair trial ; 
and also they must have from three to nine days' 
notice previous to trial. 

Sec, 4. It shall be in the power of the S. Taber- 
nacle to tjy all cases therein that may be committed, 
except it be an officer, whose charges shall be pre- 
sented to the Grand Council or to the Grand 
Temple. 



10 

ARTICLE XV. 

Sectio7i I. Notice shall be sent by the M. R. W. 
A. S. C. Scribe to each Ta.bernacle of the suspen- 
sion or expulsion of any members and rejected 
candidates. Any Tabernacle receiving an expelled 
member or rejected candidate, without the consent 
of the S. C, shall be fined no less than $5 nor more 
than $10, or suspended, or expelled, as may be de- 
termijied. 

Sec. 2. Each Tabernacle shall make out its re- 
ports, and report the same to the G. T. or G. S. C. 
Council. 



ARTICLE XVI. 

Section i It shall be the duty of the last past 
officers to prepare and forward to the G. S. the re- 
sult of the election of officers and the degrees given, 
and it be accompanied with the quarterly taxes — i 
cent on the dollar from the general funds, and 3 
cents quarterly for each member, also 5 cents for 
each initiation in the last quarter, and the account 
of general funds. 

Sec. 2. The sum of $1 will be required from each 
and every Tabernacle for the installation of officers, 
with the list of financial and unfinancial members 
and members deceased Any Tabernacle failing or 
neglecting to make out the above returns shall be 
fined $2 50. 



CHAPTER XVII.— a r. H 
Section i. The G. Temple House shall be com- 
posed of all past officers, and any member in good 



n 

standing in the S. Tabernacle to which they belongs 
and have taken seven degrees, may become a mem- 
ber of the G. T. H. by paying the sum of 50 cents. 
Sec. 2. The G. T shall hold its meetings on or 
before the 15th of each quarter, for the reception of 
their several reports and the trials of their subordi- 
nate officers, and such other business as may come 
before the T. H. Officers shall have power to call 
special meetings or sessions when they may deem it 
necessary. 



ARTICLE ^NIW.— Raising S. T. 
Section i. Any worthy members making an appli- 
cation to the S. S. Council for the organization of a 
new Order, it shall be granted to them, and they 
will be paid the sum of 25 cents for each subordinate 
officer. 



ARTICLE XIX. — S, G, CounciVs Decisions. 

Section i. All dispensations, charts, constitutions^ 
laws and regulations, for the government of Sub- 
Tabernacles or Temple Houses, shall be issued from 
the S. G. Council. 

Sec, 2. The Temple, by the decision of the S. G. 
Council, may deputize an Instalhng Master for the 
Sub-Tabernacle, and under its jurisdiction. 



ARTICLE XX. 

Section i. It shall be the duty of every member 
to give the Recording Secretary a statement of his 
or her removal, within two weeks, and for neglect 
shall be fined 12 cents. 



12 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the R. S. to note 
down the residence of each member in a book kept 
for that purpose, and shall be fined 12 cents for 
neglect of duty. 



ARTICLE ys^^l.-^Duties of Officers. 

Sectio7i I. It shall be the duty of the M. R. W. 
A. S. Master to preside at all meetings, stated and 
special, of the Lodge, and force a due observance 
of the laws and order of the same ; he shall decide 
all questions of debate in his Lodge, and see that 
all officers perform the duties enjoined upon them 
in their Lodge; he shall decide all questions of 
order without debate, and in cases of balloting for 
candidates or members the S. M. shall be the in- 
spector and announce the result of the votes to the 
Lodge, and appoint all committees. 

Sec. 2 The M. R. W. A. P. and S. Masters, the. 
Mother of Israel, C. Scribe, C. H. Priest, Queen of 
Saints and the Queen of Virgins, in conjunction with 
the S. Master, to be the Visiting Committee of the 
Lodge, whose duty it shall be to visit a member re- 
ported sick, within twenty-four hours after receiving 
information of the same, and continue to render, 
during sickness, such aid as the law requires. 

Sec. 3. No member is to be visited who has an 
insidious disease, or who resides where insidious and 
infectious diseases are known by the properly au- 
thorized Visiting Committee of the Lodge to exist. 

Sec. 4. Should it become necessary for members 
to sit up with the sick, the Visiting Committee shall 
notify two to sit up every evening, as their names 



13 

stand on the list — brothers with brothers, and sisters 
with sisters. Committees neglecting this duty shall 
pay a fine of not less than 50 cents nor more than 
$5. Any member refusing or neglecting to sit up 
with the sick, or turn out, when notified, shall pay 
a fine of not less than $1 nor more than $5, unless 
said member be sick, lame, more than three miles 
from the place appointed, or absent from the city. 

Sec. 5. x\ny mem.ber who may be found imposing 
upon a Lodge by feigning sickness, or receiving 
rehef under false pretences, shall be fined, suspended 
or expelled, as the Lodge may determine. If any 
miember knows that a fellow member of the Lodge 
is imposing on any Lodge, or violating any part of 
the foregoing Constitution or the By-laws, and neg- 
lecting to give notice to the proper ofiicers, such 
member shall b j fined 50 cents for every such neg- 
lect of duty. Any member wilfully violating his or 
her obligations shall be fined from $5 to $20, or 
suspended or expelled. 



ARTICLE XXll.— Duties of Officers. 

SECRETARIES. 

Sectmi I. The Secretaries shall regularly attend 
all stated and special meetings of the Tabernacle. 

Sec. 2. The Chaplain Scribe shall have the care 
of the seal of the Lodge, and be responsible for the 
same The Financial Scribe shall collect all dues, 
fees and fines of the members, and keep a fair and 
impartial account with each and every member, in 
a book provided for that purpose; he shall sign all 
constitutional drafts, &c., fill up all certificates and 



14 

cards granted by the Lodge, and shall at every 
stated meeting have already prepared a correct 
statement of the accounts of every member of the 
Lodge, and pay all monies he may receive immedi- 
ately over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the 
same, and at the end of his term (three months) 
notify each member who is known to be six months 
in arrears of the amount due by him to the Lodge, 
adding thereto ten cents for the benefit of the gen- 
eral funds. He shall also make out for the Taber- 
nacle a full statement of all monies received and 
paid over 'to the Treasurer, and deliver up to his 
successor all books, papers or other property belong- 
ing to the Tabernacle in his charge or possession. 

THE CHAPLAIN SCRIBE. 

Sec, 3. It shall be his duty to overlook the books, 
see that they are properly kept, keep an absentee roll 
book, attend and keep an account of the joitiation . 
money, and keep in his care and possession the 
grand seal of the Lodge, The Chaplain Scribe, 
with the Recording S,, shall give immediate notice 
to the G, Temple H. or to the S. G Council of the 
suspension or expulsion of members, and shall assist 
the F. S. in performing his various duties, the rejec- 
tion of candidates, and, if necessary, the C. S. shall 
alternate regularly with the F. S. They shall keep 
accurate minutes of the proceedings of the Taber- 
nacle, issue all summons and notices required by 
the same, write all communications by order of the 
Tabernacle, and perform all other duties required 
by law and the nature of their office, and at the end 
of their term shall make out a full report of such 



15 

transactions as appertain to their office, and also 
deliver up to their successors all books, papers, &c., 
belonging to the Tabernacle. 

Sec, 4. In case of the absence of either of the 
Secretaries, he shall send notice thereof to the S. R. 
M., together with the books and papers in his pos- 
session necessary for the transaction of business, 
whereupon the S. R. M. shall appoint a Secretary 
pro te7n, in his stead, and all business shall be dis- 
posed of as before specified. 

Sec. 5. All quarterly reports, either of the Secre- 
tary or Treasurer, containing the receipts of monies 
in any way belonging to the Tabernacle, shall be 
embodied in a book kept for that purpose by each 
of them in their respective capacities, and presented 
in no other way at the end of their official terms. 

Sec, 6 In the Treasurer's absence the C. Scribe 
shall receipt for the sums received to the S. R. M. 



ARTICLE ^yHW,— Duties of Treasurer. 
Section i. The Treasurer, before entering upon 
the duties of his office, shall execute to the S R. M. 
and S. C. a bond in sufficient penalty, with at least 
two securities, to be appointed by the Lodge, for 
the faithful performance of his duty. He shall re- 
ceive and safely keep the monies and funds of the 
same, and make such investm_ents from time to 
time as the Lodge may require. He shall pay all 
orders of the Lodge drawn on him by the F. S. 
or C. S. under seal of the Lodge and duly signed 
by the S. R. M. He shall keep the accounts in a 
fair and legible manner, showing the sources and 



16 

amounts of receipts, with the purposes of and 
amount of disbursements. His books shall be open 
for the inspection of any committee appointed by 
the Lodge for that purpose, and at the end of each 
quarter he shall have his accounts closed, and shall 
submit a full statement thereof to the Lodge, and 
deliver up, when legally called upon, in presence of 
the S. M., all books, bonds, monies and papers, be- 
longing to the Lodge, to his successor, or to whom- 
soever the Lodge may specially appoint as receivers, 
under pain of suspension or expulsion, as well as 
forfeiting the penalty of his bond . 

Sec, 2. In the event of the Treasurer's death, the 
receipts and accounts of the Secretaries shall be suffi- 
cient vouchers. 



BY-1. AWS. 



Section i. When the Presiding Officer takes the 
chair, the officers and members shall take their re- 
spective seats, and at the sound of the gavel there 
shall be a general silence, under the penalty of a 
•public reprimand. 

Sec. 2 When the S. R. M. is stating a question 
or addres&ing the Lodge, when a brother is speak- 
ing, or the Secretary reading, no one shall go out ot 
or cross the room, nor in 'such cases shall private 
discourses be permitted, except by consent of the 
Chair. 

Sec, 3. No member shall disturb another while 
speaking, unless to call to order, or stand up to in- 
terrupt, or when a member is speaking pass between 
the speaker and the Chair. 

Sec, 4. Every member when speaking shall stard 
up and respectfully address the Chair, and at the 
conclusion of his remarks shall sit down, nor shall 
any be permitted to speak or vote upon any ques- 
tion before the Lodge unless clothed in suitable 
regalia. 

Sec. 5. If two or more members rise to speak at 
the same time, the S. R. M. shall decide Vvdiich is 
entitled to the floor. 

Sec. 6. No member shall speak more than five 
minutes at a time or more than twice on the same 
subject, without permission of the S. R. jM. ; and if 
a memiber w^hile speaking shall be called to order. 



18 

either by the S. R. M. or any other member of the 
Lodge, the speaker shall cease his remarks and sit 
down until the question of order is determined and 
permission is given to proceed. 

Sec, 7. Any member misbehaving at a meeting 
of the Lodge, and disturbing the order and harmony 
of the same, either by abusive, disorderly or pro'- 
fane language or conduct, or by refusing obedience 
to the superior officers, shall be duly admonished by 
the Chair, and if such member should again offend, 
shall be suspended from the room for the evening, 
and afterward dealt with according to the laws of 
the Lodge. 

Sec, 8. Any member who may be expelled, or 
who neglects to pay all dues and arrearages to the 
Tabernacle for twelve months, shall forfeit all claims 
and privileges of the Order. 

Sec, 9. The sum of $15 will be required for or- 
ganizing a new Lodge, if in the city of Baltimore ; 
if out of the city or State, from $21 to $25, together 
with traveling expenses. 

Sec,\o, Such amendments as may be necessary 
to the welfare of the Order may be adopted by the 
S. C, or approved by them before it can become a 
law. 



TABLEOF FINES. 



S. T. failing to install in time, - - - - $2.50 
Voting for improper persons, from $1,00 to $10.00 
Violating Article 13, from - ~ 12 cents to $5.00 
Violating Article 15, from - - $5.00 to $10.00 
S. T. not reporting, from - - 50 cents to $2.00 

Violating Article' 20, 12 cents 

Violating Article 21, from. - - 50 cents to $20.00 
Violating By-Laws, from - - 12 cents to $10.00 



iSja 


Anno Domini. 1872 




CONSTITUTION 




AND 




IB-^- l-i^^^WS 




OF THE 


G. 


A. U. S. H. of I. 




Turn ATS ET rEnjTAS. 


U. F- F- H. 




BALTIMORE : 

THE SU2?- BOOK AND JOB PRINTIiq-G OFFICE 
1873. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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